Learning outcomes

• The student should understand state intervention in different key sectors of the economy. They should know the advantages and disadvantages of state intervention. • The course should give an introduction to the scientific field of public economics. At the end of the course, the student should be familiar with modelling in economics, and in public economics in particular. • At the end of the course, the student should be able to express himself/herself and participate in debates concerning state intervention in the economy

Content

This course is a first course in public economics. It covers state intervention in the economy, focusing on microeconomic analysis in industrialised countries. Topics include public goods, externalities, taxes and information economics. The issues discussed will be - among others - education, research, the health sector, the environment, social insurance. The course does not cover macroeconomic analysis of state intervention and state intervention in developing countries. These issues are discussed in other courses.

Assessment method

• Students are asked to make a small economic model on an issue related to the course material. This modelling exercise can be done in groups. • There is a 15 minute oral examination (open book)

Sources, references and any support material

For most chapters, a syllabus is available. Further reading (optional) will be indicated for each chapter.

Language of instruction

French